Beauty for Clutter

A couple days ago I bemoaned the presence of clutter.


Part of the reason for the accumulation of clutter is the fact that I've been directing our church's Easter play. We have dress rehearsal this afternoon and it will be performed Palm Sunday morning. Of all the things I do, theatre work is one of the most satisfying to my soul. 


There is absolutely nothing like taking a bunch of words on paper, assigning flesh to speak those words, adding simple furniture from daily living, and weaving the emotion of music throughout in order to bring the printed matter to life.  


Our congregation is in for a real treat tomorrow morning!


But anyway, back to the clutter. Really? We have to get back to the clutter? Well, we all deal with it, right? Here's something I do. When I simply can't conquer it at the moment, I add something pretty. For me that means fresh flowers. My flowers usually come from Walmart, the city market, or my yard depending on the season. All that looked good a few days ago were the carnations. Oh, and I scored on some pansies as well.

YIKES! 

(Yes, I watermarked this because I know you're totally going to want to Pin my clutter.) 

Now, just so you know, the kitchen has since been tidied up. But still - see my carnations on the right? Flowers just make me feel better.

Sitting next to my carnations, are the duct tape roses my son made for me. Aren't they lovely, too?  He's so creative!

At the moment my little mantel is extremely random, but the stems that were too short for the other arrangement went into my new bud vases. Aren't they cute?

At the entry way there were clothes baskets, paper, towels and mussed up pillows among other things you can not see in the picture. However, see the pansies peek-a-booing at the window?

Hello there, pretty pansies!

I don't know. There is just something about placing the living in the middle of the dormant. Something beautiful next to something ugly. It can make the transition bearable. 


Until I could get to the cluttered mess, it helped me to have something pretty to look at.


A little like life, don't you think? There's always a bit of clutter, but there's usually some beauty to focus on in the midst of the mess. 

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

Saved By Love

Where has this month gone? What have I been doing?

I haven't the faintest idea!

Everything. And nothing.

This morning I sat in my livingroom, watching today's forecast (severe weather in the Midwest) and pondered my day. 

There's clutter. Clutter everywhere. In the livingroom. In the kitchen. In the dining area. In the yard. In my mind.

I had coffee with my Bible and My Utmost for His Highest. Did anyone else read today's?

"Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, 

and always in the most illogical connections." -Oswald Chambers

"You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment 

when you do not anticipate it." Luke 12:40 AMP

Thanking God for His Word and asking for focus for the day's tasks, I moved on.

After lunch, I determined to tackle the offending areas. First, I gathered my necessary tools: iced tea and music. This afternoon's selections? Black tea with blueberry. Amy Grant Greatest Hits.

Imagine my surprise when not too many songs into the album, Jesus met me right there in the kitchen. I don't mean in the flesh, but in the song, streaming from my computer speakers. 

The song spoke of family love and the love of Jesus. I was overtaken right there in the kitchen with the knowledge of Jesus' love for me.

My reading this morning rang true. You don't know when Jesus will appear in your everyday life, but be encouraged He is there.

Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? 

You have the words that give eternal life. 

We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” 

John 6:67-69 (NLT)

Book Review: "You're Already Amazing" by Holley Gerth

   

Book Review: 

You're Already Amazing

Embracing Who You Are,

Becoming All God Created

You to Be

by Holley Gerth

I have to admit.

This is not a book I would normally choose to read.

However, I must say, although I had intended to skim through

and give a little overview of the content,

I found myself stopping to consider 

the truths I found on those pages.

Truth about God.

Truth about me.

At the time of this writing, I'm about half way through

and looking forward to continuing at the same leisurely pace.

Holley uses loads of personal stories, as well as other

real life examples from her work and life.

There is also plenty of Scripture.

Each chapter contains exercises to help the reader

focus on the topic and examine herself.

I found these helpful in order to make

personal application.

This book would be appropriate for individual or group study.

 

 These cards were included

 in my packet for review, as well.

Colorful and pretty, they're high quality card stock as you would expect from DaySpring. I have a list of friends I know will appreciate getting one of these.

Read more about Holley Gerth's You're Already Amazing 

and encouragement cards here.

I received this book free from DaySpring to review and all opinions stated are my own.